There's plenty that has caught Terry's attention as the Browns finally break into the win column.
View full sizePeyton Hillis didn't feel the bumps and bruises from another heavy workload, and the fans weren't worrying about the long-term success of the team as they enjoyed the first win of the season Sunday.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles following the Browns' first victory of the season, 23-20 over Cincinnati...
1. At some point, there has to be a payoff. The hard work and promises have to turn into a victory on the scoreboard or the players lose hope for the season and confidence in the coaches. As for the fans, the Browns could not have afforded to open the season at 0-4 and expect anything but screams of agony and demands for people to be fired. That's why Sunday's 23-20 victory over Cincinnati means so much -- it's a real indication of progress.
2. The Browns may only be 1-3, but they started last season 0-4 and 1-10. They didn't win a home game until Dec. 10, when they beat Pittsburgh. They were only 2-6 at home. While their first three losses were by a touchdown or less, you still need to win a game -- especially at home -- just for the players to experience the roar of Browns fans once again feeling some hope. They were loud in the fourth quarter.
3. This also is the first victory for the new Mike Holmgren/Tom Heckert regime. It featured a quarterback personally picked by Holmgren, who coached Seneca Wallace in Seattle. It starred Peyton Hillis (102 yards rushing), a key of the Brady Quinn deal with Denver put together by Heckert. The biggest play perhaps came from Matt Roth (two sacks), claimed off waivers last season from Miami by coach Eric Mangini.
4. The point is not who gets the credit. For example, Mangini was a big Hillis fan. He also recalled how Wallace beat his Jets when Wallace was playing for Holmgren. But what needs to happen this season is for the Holmgren/Heckert/Mangini combination to win some games and establish a working relationship so the Browns don't have to make huge changes again next season.
5. Holmgren is probably still trying to figure out how the Browns won without completing a pass in the fourth quarter. Wallace was only 4-of-9 for 30 yards in the second half, including 0-of-4 in the fourth quarter. But the power-running game that Mangini preached into reality at the end of last season took over late. The Bengals could not stop Hillis, who bulled his way for 38 yards in six carries in the final drive of the game -- chewing up 4:41.
6. One of the big plays came with 5:20 left. Browns rookie Joe Haden (drafted by Heckert) was covering Chad Ochocinco. The Bengals star became so frustrated, he grabbed Haden to prevent a possible interception -- and drew a penalty. That pushed the Bengals out of field goal range, and then set up Roth for his sack of Carson Palmer. Haden had four tackles in the secondary, two more on special teams.
7. Back to feeling 100 percent after a concussion two weeks ago, Evan Moore caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from Wallace. Like Roth, Moore was a waiver-wire pickup last season. The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder is listed as a tight end, but really is a slot receiver. The former Stanford basketball player is a huge target with terrific hands. He has caught only four passes this season, but they have been for a combined 101 yards.
8. Shaun Rogers looks heavy. Twice, he was flagged for false starts. He had only one tackle. But he was a force at times, drawing at least two blockers and bringing some pressure on the quarterback. Kenyon Coleman was the star of the defensive line with two fumble recoveries and a sack. The Browns did a decent job against the run, holding the Bengals to 67 yards in 18 carries -- the longest run being 12 yards.
9. The Browns had major problems when the Bengals used the no-huddle offense and spread out the defense by using 3-4 receivers. Until the Browns figure out how to deal with that, they will see more of it. They also have to figure out some of their blitzes, which seem to leave the defensive backs very vulnerable to long plays.
10. While the left side of the offensive line (Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach and center Alex Mack) are often praised, the revised right side with Porkchop Womack (guard) and Tony Pashos (tackle) has been a major factor. That final 24-yard run by Hillis that put away the victory was around right tackle. Last week at Baltimore, Hillis had 49 yards in six carries to the right side of the line.
11. The Browns were worried about Hillis fumbling after he had two (one lost) in the opener at Tampa. Supposedly, Denver became discouraged with him because Hillis had an early season fumble -- but that was the only one in 89 rushes. In the last three games, he has carried the ball 57 times for 281 yards, three touchdowns and no fumbles. On the season, he is averaging 3.9 yards per carry.
12. Who is the Browns' leading receiver? It's tight end Ben Watson with 18. A year ago, starting tight end Robert Royal (who rarely plays now) had 11 catches in 16 games.